The Heart and Stroke Foundation is donating a defibrillator to the Bracebridge Sportsplex.

During the spring of 2007, the Heart and Stroke Foundation announced the availability of a grant to increase the number of defibrillators available to the public by placing them in various facilities. The Bracebridge culture and recreation department applied through the District of Muskoka for one of the units, to be installed in the aquatics area of the sportsplex.

The culture and recreation committee, at its Feb. 5 meeting, recommended that the town and the district execute an agreement for the donation. According to the agreement, the Heart and Stroke Foundation will be responsible for the $4,500 cost of the unit. This includes the partial cost of training six people in its use. The town is responsible for training to a maximum cost of $1,500.

“With access to this life-saving tool, the Bracebridge Sportsplex will be a safer place for facility users to gather and be active,” said town culture and recreation manager Leo Broere.